Ahead of the midweek match-up with Bolton Wanderers Michael Appleton was quick to stress there had been no disruption arising from the late postponement at Fleetwood.
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Fleetwood Aftermath: MA was completely unfazed by the timing of the postponement at the weekend. Whilst it had come too late in the day to travel back to Lincoln in order to train, the players had been in on Sunday and done what was needed to prepare for Bolton. There had been no disruption to the plans for the next game.
Bolton Wanderers: MA was open-minded about whether the Imps would have the physical edge due to the Trotter’s game going ahead over the weekend. He took the view that in light of their emphatic victory, sometimes the energy levels and adrenalin flow naturally.
MA believes that Bolton’s business had been as good as anybody in January with four or five top-quality permanent signings; their performances and results are proving that. As shown in the first game at the LNER Stadium, it is a clash between two good teams who pass the ball well and look to play attacking football. It had been a tight affair only settled by a goal arising from a quick succession of imps errors.
There remain some 50/50 injury issues in the back line. If the players don’t come through and can’t play through the pain barrier, there may be a tweak to the formation and approach.
“That back line has been a bit of a sore point for us all season. We seem to be week in week out sort of trying to put a back four together. It would be nice if we could have three, four maybe even five games on the trot with a similar back four. I think the stronger we are there, from the base, gives us a better chance of trying to keep a clean sheet”.
Miscellaneous: MA was asked whether extra attacking quality was the big difference between League 2 and League 1 from a permanent recruitment perspective. Whilst he saw something in that, MA was satisfied that his players had shown good attacking qualities this season also:
“Last year we did ever so well with some of the loans that we managed to get. Obviously losing Jorge (Grant) was a big loss from that point of view as well; but we certainly create chances, we get into fantastic areas”
MA was still in disbelief that the Imps had lost the Doncaster game but referenced the match as a recent example of how many chances the team carves out.
The form of Bolton right back Marlon Fossey (on loan from Fulham) was highlighted. MA recognised the threat he posed when Bolton switch from a back four into a five, with Fossey coming alive in the wing-back role. However, MA wasn’t allowing the impact of Brooke Norton-Cuffey to be overlooked.
“We’ve got a right back that we’ve brought in from Arsenal who’s not bad also. I think there’s going to be a lot of people who are going to be interested in Brooke between now and the end of the season. He’s a player that personally – and I don’t like singling out too many people, but I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t play in the Premier League”.
Writer: hulloutpost
Bolton Wanderers (a - 22/02/22): Will The Imps Win, Lose or Draw?
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Michael Appleton: "I'll be amazed if he doesn't play in the Premier League."https://t.co/s3OC2VeXoi#BWFC #ImpsAsOne
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) February 21, 2022
